Method and system for measuring airflow of nares

ABSTRACT

A method and system for measuring airflow through nares. One exemplary embodiment comprises: measuring an attribute of an airflow through a first naris; measuring an attribute of an airflow through a second naris; wherein measuring the attribute of the airflow through the first naris is accomplished without blocking the second naris; and wherein measuring the attribute of the airflow through the second naris is accomplished without blocking the first naris.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to measuring relativenarial airflow. More particularly, embodiments of the invention aredirected to measuring at least a portion of the airflow through nostrilsor nares for purposes such as determining differences in flow, andpossibly quantifying the airflow.

2. Background of the Invention

Knowing the relative airflow between the nostrils or nares of a person'snose may be useful in predicting or diagnosing many ailments associatedwith the nose and nasopharynx. For example, relative airflow between thenares may be useful in quantifying a degree of congestion experienced bya patient. Relative airflow may also be useful in determining the degreeor extent of a physical abnormality, such as a deviated septum.Moreover, a lack of airflow, or a restriction of airflow, may be atrigger for sleep apnea.

The related art in determining narial airflow may be known asrhinomanography. Rhinomanography may be technique of simultaneouslyrecording nasal pressure by way of a first nostril, and flow through thesecond, unblocked nostril. By measuring nasal pressure and flow,rhinomanography may allow for the study of the relationships betweenpressure within the nasal cavities and airflow. Rhinomanography inaccordance with the related art may be a multi-step process. Inparticular, a first naris of a patient may be blocked to preventairflow, and a pressure gauge or meter may be attached to the blockednaris. Thereafter, the entire nose and mouth of the patient may becovered such that airflow through the unplugged naris may be measured inrelation to the pressure developed in the blocked naris. Afterdetermining a relationship between the nasal pressure and airflow(through the unblocked naris), the blocked and unblocked naris may beswitched and a second set of data may be collected regarding airflowthrough the second naris with respect to nasal pressure.

As can be appreciated from the description above, a rhinomanographictest may be a complicated process. Airflow measured through each narisis with the other naris plugged, and therefore the relative flow innormal breathing patterns is not determined. By plugging one naris theremaining naris may carry unusually high airflow, which may not beindicative of normal use. Further still, the act of plugging one naris,so as to read nasal pressure, may cause swelling of the nasal tissues,which may in turn affect airflow through that naris, skewing theresults.

Thus, what is needed in the art is a method and related system tomeasure, and possibly quantify, the relative airflow as between nares.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The problems noted above are solved in large part by a method and systemfor measuring airflow through nares. One exemplary embodiment comprises:measuring an attribute of an airflow through a first naris; measuring anattribute of an airflow through a second naris; wherein measuring theattribute of the airflow through the first naris is accomplished withoutblocking the second naris; and wherein measuring the attribute of theairflow through the second naris is accomplished without blocking thefirst naris.

Another exemplary embodiment comprises: a first airflow sensor adaptedto detect at least a portion of an airflow through a first naris tocreate a first measured flow signal; a second airflow sensor adapted todetect at least a portion of an airflow through a second naris to createa second measured flow signal; and a processor electrically coupled tothe first and second airflow sensors, wherein the processor isprogrammed to substantially simultaneously read the first and secondmeasured flow signals.

The disclosed devices and methods comprise a combination of features andadvantages which enable it to overcome the deficiencies of the prior artdevices. The various characteristics described above, as well as otherfeatures, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art uponreading the following detailed description, and by referring to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of theinvention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates a generic system for sensing attributes of airflow;

FIG. 2 illustrates a generic system for sensing attributes of airflow;

FIG. 3 illustrates a nasal cannula in accordance with embodiments of theinventions;

FIG. 4 illustrates a nasal function test device in accordance withembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates plots of a measured attribute as a function of timein accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 6A illustrates, in shorthand form, the nasal function test deviceof FIG. 4;

FIG. 6B illustrates alternative embodiments of the nasal function testdevice of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6C illustrates alternative embodiments of the nasal function testdevice of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6D illustrates alternative embodiments of the nasal function testdevice of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6E illustrates alternative embodiments of the nasal function testdevice of FIG. 4.

NOTATION AND NOMENCLATURE

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claimsto refer to particular system components. This document does not intendto distinguish between components that differ in name but not function.

In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and“comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should beinterpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . ”. Also, theterm “couple” or “couples” is intended to mean either an indirect ordirect electrical or mechanical connection. Thus, if a first devicecouples to a second device, that connection may be through a directconnection, or through an indirect connection via other devices andconnections.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The various embodiments of the present invention are directed todetermining relative airflow between the nostrils or nares of the nose.The measuring of airflow in each naris may take place substantiallysimultaneously, and artificial blocking and/or stinting of the nares ispreferably avoided, as these acts may cause swelling of the tissueaffecting respiration. Knowing the relative airflow between the nares,and possibly quantifying that difference in airflow, may be useful indiagnosing ailments and abnormalities. In the context of describingmethods and systems of the various embodiments of the invention, some ofthe ailments and abnormalities that may be diagnosed using thetechniques may be discussed; however, the discussion is not intended tobe exhaustive. The methods and systems described herein may be helpfulin diagnosing many ailments and abnormalities beyond those specificallymentioned.

Consider for purposes of explanation a generic system as illustrated inFIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows a first pipe or tube 10 having airflow therethroughmoving from left to right, as illustrated by arrows 12 and 14. FIG. 1also illustrates a smaller, possibly flexible, pipe or sensing tube 16having an end 18 disposed within the airflow entering the tube 10. Thesensing tube 16 may also have an end 20, fluidly coupled to the end 18,disposed at some location out or away from the airflow entering the tube10. Bernoulli's principle states that where the velocity of a fluid,such as air, is high the pressure will be low, and where the velocity ofthe fluid is low, the pressure will be high. In the generic systemillustrated in FIG. 1, the end 18 is defined to be within the airflowentering the tube 10, and thus the air pressure existing proximate tothe end 18 of the sensing tube 16 may be lower than the pressureproximate to the end 20. Assuming that end 20 is not blocked to airflow,the difference in pressure may cause an airflow through the sensing tube16, which airflow continues through the tube 10. Thus, an airflow may beinduced in the sensing tube simply by virtue of having one end of thesensing tube placed within the airflow into the larger tube.

Consider now the generic system illustrated in FIG. 2, still comprisingthe tube 10 and the sensing tube 16, but with the airflow reversed. Inparticular, airflow may enter the right side of the tube 10 (asillustrated by arrow 22), and exit the left side of the tube 10 (asillustrated by arrow 24). A portion of the air exiting the tube 10 maybe hydraulically forced into the end 18 of the sensing tube 16. Becauseair is hydraulically forced into the sensing tube 16, likewise air mayexit the second end 20 of the sensing tube 16 (as indicated by arrow26). Thus, by virtue of having one end 18 of the sensing tube 16 placedproximate to the tube 10, airflow through the sensing tube 16 may beinduced. The amount of airflow induced in the sensing tube 16 in each ofthe generic situations illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be proportionalto the volume of the airflow through the tube 10.

The principles discussed with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2, in accordancewith embodiments of the invention, may be used to determine the relativeairflow of the nares of a patient. In particular, sensing tubes may beplaced proximate to each naris. As the patient inhales, airflow into thenares may create low pressure areas at the ends of tubes placedproximate to those nares. As discussed with respect to FIG. 1, the lowpressure may thus create a differential pressure across the length ofthe tube, inducing an airflow. During exhalation, exiting gases may behydraulically forced into the sensing tube, thus inducing flow in adirection opposite that experienced during inhalation.

In alternative embodiments, the tubes may be plugged at their secondends, and the difference, if any, in pressure within the tubes caused byairflow into each naris may be measured. In these alternativeembodiments, the pressure induced in the tubes during exhalation maylikewise be indicative of the airflow through each nostril.

Although there may be many mechanisms for placing the sensing tubesproximate to the openings in each naris, in the preferred embodimentsplacement may be accomplished using a nasal cannula. FIG. 3 illustratesa nasal cannula 30 which may be used in accordance with at least some ofthe embodiments of the invention. As one of ordinary skill in the art isaware, a nasal cannula is positioned on a patient by positioning theapertures 32, 34 proximate to each nostril, running sensing tube 31 overone ear, and running sensing tube 33 over a second ear. The cannula 30is preferably bifurcated, meaning that sensing tube 31 and aperture 32may not be fluidly coupled to sensing tube 33 and aperture 34. Thus,airflow through the sensing tube 31, illustrated by arrow 36, may flowonly through the aperture 32. Likewise, airflow through sensing tube 33,illustrated by arrow 38 may flow only through the aperture 34. As willbe discussed more fully below in relation to an exemplary set ofhardware to perform the measuring steps, having each of the apertures32, 34 allow for determining differences in airflow (or pressure) ineach naris. Before proceeding, it should be understood that using abifurcated nasal cannula such as that illustrated in FIG. 3 is notrequired to practice and obtain the benefits of the invention. Anymechanism by which the sensing tubes are placed and/or held proximate tothe nares falls within the contemplation of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a nasal function test device 100 constructed inaccordance with at least some embodiments of the invention. The nasalfunction test device 100 may comprise a flow sensor 102 adapted to befluidly coupled to a sensing tube, possibly in operational relationshipto a right naris. The sensing tube for the right naris may be, in someembodiments, a portion of the bifurcated nasal cannula as illustrated inFIG. 3. The nasal function test device 100 may also comprise a secondflow sensor 104 adapted to be fluidly coupled to a sensing tube,possibly in operational in relationship to a left naris. Likewise, thesensing tube for the left naris may be a portion of a bifurcated nasalcannula as illustrated in FIG. 3. The nasal function test device 100 mayalso optionally comprise a third flow sensor 106, which may couple to asensing tube proximate to the mouth of the patient. In accordance withat least some embodiments of the invention, the flow sensors 102, 104and 106 may be mass flow sensors available from Microswitch (a divisionof Honeywell Corp.) having part No. AWM92100V. However, other flowsensors may be equivalently used. The preferred flow sensors may operateon the principle of a heated element within the air stream in the flowsensor that experiences different cooling effects depending on airflow.In embodiments using flow sensors such as these, each of the flowsensors 102, 104 and 106 may have a heater control circuit 108, 110 and112 respectively. Airflow sensors of differing technology may notrequire the heater control circuits.

The nasal function test device 100 of FIG. 4 may also compriseamplifiers 114, 116 and 118 coupled to an output signal of each of theflow sensors 102, 104 and 106 respectively. The purpose of theamplifiers 114, 116 and 118 may be to amplify the output signalspropagating from each of the flow sensors. Depending on the type of flowsensor used, the amplifiers 114, 116 and 118 may not be needed. Inaccordance with embodiments of the invention, each flow sensor 102, 104and 106 may produce an output signal that has an attribute that changesproportional to the amount of airflow through the flow sensor. Anyattribute of an electrical signal may be used, such as frequency, phase,current flow, or possibly a message based system where information maybe coded in message packets. In the preferred embodiments each flowsensor (and related amplifier if used) produces an output signal whosevoltage is proportional to the airflow through the sensor. In order thatthe output signals of the flow sensors may be read and analyzed, each ofthe flow sensors may couple to a processor 120, possibly through ananalog-to-digital (A/D) converter 122.

In the illustration of FIG. 4, processor 120 is shown to have anon-board A/D converter 122, on-board random access memory (RAM) 124,on-board read-only memory (ROM) 126, as well as on-board serialcommunication ability, as illustrated by communication port 128. Inembodiments where these devices (and possibly others) are integral withthe processor, the processor may be any of a number of commerciallyavailable microcontrollers. Thus, the processor 120 could be amicrocontroller produced by Cypress Micro Systems having a part No.CY8C26643. Random access memory, such as RAM 124, may provide a workingarea for the processor to temporarily store data, and from whichprograms may be executed. Read-only memory, such as ROM 126, may storeprograms, such as an operating system, to be executed on the processor120. ROM may also store user-supplied programs which perform specifictasks. Although microcontrollers may have on-board RAM and ROM, in someembodiments of the invention additional RAM 130 and/or additional ROM132 may be coupled to the processor 120. In accordance with embodimentsof the invention, ROM 126 may store programs specifically designed toperform functions such as a nasal function test. In particular, whenexecuted, the programs may periodically read the signal levels from-theflow sensors 102, 104 and 106. Preferably, the measuring or reading ofthe signals representing airflow (or other attribute associated with theflow) take place substantially simultaneously. “Substantiallysimultaneously” shall mean that the signals produced by the flowsensors, or other sensors used, may be read within the same period oftime. This, as opposed to, for example, reading the response of a firstnaris during a first respiratory cycle, the reading the response of asecond naris during a different respiratory cycle. Thus, while a singlemicrocontroller or single processor nasal function test device may onlybe able to read samples one at a time, substantially simultaneously maymean that output signals of multiple measurement sensors may be samplemultiple times during a single respiratory cycle.

In alternative embodiments of the invention, the functionality of themicrocontroller may be implemented using individual components, such asan individual microprocessor, individual RAM, individual ROM, and anindividual A/D converter.

Still referring to FIG. 4, the nasal function test device 100 mayfurther comprise a indicator or display device coupled to the processor120. While the display device may take many forms, in accordance withembodiments of the invention the display device 134 may comprise aliquid crystal display (LCD), such as an LCD display Part No.TM320240DFG1 available from TIAN-MA Microelectronics Company. Dependingon the type of display device 134 used, the processor 120 maycommunicate information to the user of the nasal function test device100. In some embodiments, the communication may be by placingalphanumeric characters on the display device 134. In alternativeembodiments, the display device 134 may be capable of graphicallyimparting information to the user of the nasal function test device 100,such as by displaying a graph of the measured flows of the right andleft naris (and also possibly the oral flow) as a function of time. Inyet further alternative embodiments, the display device 134 may displaythe information graphically in a portion of a window of the displaydevice 134, and also provide the same or other information in aalphanumeric window. Further still, multiple types of display devicesmay be used.

The nasal function test device 100 as illustrated in FIG. 4 may alsocomprise a non-volatile memory 136 coupled to the processor 120. As willbe discussed more fully below, in accordance with at least someembodiments of the invention the nasal function test device 100 may havethe capability of comparing tests performed on a patient at differenttimes. In order to compare airflows, for example before application of adecongestant and after application of a decongestant, the nasal functiontest device 100 may need the capability to store the information forlater comparison. The non-volatile memory 136 could be battery-backedrandom access memory, some form of electrically erasable, programmableread-only memory (EPROM), or some other now-existing or after-developedtechnology. In alternative embodiments, the non-volatile memory 136 maycomprise a removable or non-removable disk drive.

The nasal function test device 100 may also comprise a power supply 138.In accordance with at least some embodiments of the invention, the powersupply 138 may be capable of taking alternating current (AC) poweravailable at a standard wall outlet and converting it to one or moredirect current (DC) voltages for use by the various electronics withinthe system. In alternative embodiments where the nasal function testdevice 100 may be portable, the power supply 138 may have the capabilityof switching between converting the AC wall power to DC, or drawingcurrent from on-board or external batteries, and converting to voltagesneeded by the devices within the nasal function test device. In yetfurther embodiments, the power supply 138 may be housed external to thenasal function test device 100.

Having now described the exemplary embodiments of measuring an attributeof the airflow through the nares, the focus of the specification nowturns to steps of performing a nasal function test device in accordancewith embodiments of the invention. Consider, for purposes ofexplanation, that a patient has been fitted with a bifurcated nasalcannula such as that illustrated in FIG. 3. Further consider that thesensing tube having an aperture proximate to the right naris is fluidlycoupled to the flow sensor 102 of the nasal function test device of FIG.4, and that the sensing tube having an aperture proximate to the leftnaris is fluidly coupled to the flow sensor 104. A first test maycomprise measuring relative airflow between the left nare and the rightnare with the head upright, and during tidal (normal) breathing. A flowsensing system, such as those illustrated in FIG. 4 using a nasalcannula as illustrated in FIG. 3, may only measure a portion of the airwhich actually enters the naris; however, the amount of airflow throughthe sensing tube is proportional to the amount of airflow through thenaris. A relative airflow between the nares in accordance withembodiments of the invention may be relative in the sense that theairflow through the sensing tube is related to the airflow through thenares, and also relative as between the left naris and the right naris,or both. Determining the relative airflow between the nares with thehead upright may be used to quantify congestion (particularly if anon-congested airflow is stored in the memory, or possibly a second testmay be performed after application of a decongestant), or diagnosing theextent of physical abnormality such as a deviated septum.

A second test that may be performed may be determining relative airflowbetween the nares with the head upright and taking a deep breath, whichmay be known as a maximum inspiration. This test may be useful indiagnosing ailments such as nasal valve collapse, or other occlusions ofthe nares caused by increased airflow.

The inventors of the present specification also envision that a nasalfunction test device, such as that illustrated in FIG. 4, may be used todetermine the relative airflow between the nares with a patient's headtilted to the left or the right (possibly with the patient laying on aside). Determining the relative airflow between the nares in thissituation (for both tidal and maximum inspiration) may be useful indiagnosing ailments such as a collapsing nasal valve (which may increaseairflow restriction, and therefore increase the possibility of sleepapnea when the patient's head is so positioned during sleep), as well asrestrictions in one or both nares caused by the gravitational effects onsoft tissue.

Relatedly, the nasal function test may be performed by determining therelative airflow between the nares with the head forward or with thehead back (for both tidal and maximum inspiration). These tests too mayevidence nasal function abnormality that may not be present with thehead upright.

Use of any of these diagnostic methods may be on an individual basis, inany combination of the methods, or possibly using all the diagnosticmethods for a complete nasal function study.

Alternative embodiments of the invention may also measure a relativeoral airflow in addition to, or in place of, measuring the relativeairflow between the nares. Adding the oral component to the comparisonsmay be helpful, for example, in diagnosing things such as therapeuticresponses to medicines, pre and post-operative evaluations, evaluatingthe side effects of drugs, performing nasal challenge tests (such asdetermining patient response to allergens), among others.

FIG. 5 illustrates a set of waveforms which may be created based onmeasured relative airflow between an exemplary left nare (LN) and anexemplary right nare (RN) for a patient. Graphs such as those in FIG. 5may, in some embodiments, be displayed on the display device 134 (FIG.4). Although the graphs of FIG. 5 are shown in separate plotted areas,they may be equivalently plotted in the same coordinate axis. Severalthings should be noted regarding FIG. 5. First, FIG. 5 may illustrate asituation where a patient's airflow through the left nare may be greaterthan the airflow through the right nare. In this particular example, thepeak measured attribute of the airflow for the left nare may reach avalue A1. For the same inspiration (or possibly different inspirations),the peak measure flow through the right nare may only reach a value ofA2, which is illustrated to be less than the value A1. If the patientunder test had the same airflows between the left naris and the rightnaris with the head upright, but experienced an airflow such as thatillustrated in FIG. 5 with the head tilted to the left or right, such achange in relative airflow may be indicative of physical differences orabnormalities, such as a collapsing valve.

Still referring to FIG. 5, in accordance with embodiments of theinvention a nasal function test device, such as that illustrated in FIG.4, may perform scoring of relative airflows. In some embodiments,scoring may comprise integrating to determine the area under each of theairflow curves, the score proportional or equal to the calculated area.Thus, a program executed on processor 120 may integrate to obtain orotherwise calculate the area 140 under the curve 142. Likewise, theprocessor may integrate to determine the area 144 under the curve 146.The scores may be used later as a comparison of the amount of change,for better or for worse, experienced by the patient with regard to nasalrespiration. Though not specifically shown in FIG. 5, a same relativescoring may be done for oral measurements in alternative embodiments.

In order to discuss various alternative embodiments of the invention,attention is now turned to FIG. 6A which illustrates, in a shorthandnotation, a system such as illustrated in FIG. 4. In particular, FIG. 6Ashows two nares 148 coupled to flow sensors 102 and 104. Only the flowsensors are illustrated in FIG. 6A; however, some or all of the devicesillustrated in FIG. 4 may be assumed to exist in FIGS. 6. Incircumstances such as FIG. 6A, one port of each of the flow sensors 102,104 may be coupled to a sensing tube placed proximate to a naris, and asecond port of each of the flow sensors 102, 104 may be vented to theatmosphere. In this way, during inspiration, air may flow in through thevent ports, then through the flow sensors, then through the sensingtubes, and then into the nares. During exhalation, air may flow throughthe sensing tubes, then through the flow sensors, and then through thevent ports. Flow sensors in accordance with at least embodiments of theinvention may be able to provide, in addition to a signal indicating avolume of airflow, an indication of a direction of the airflow throughthe flow sensor.

Because having a single flow sensor measure both during inspiration andexhalation may limit resolution of the measurements, alternativeembodiments of the invention, such as those illustrated in FIG. 6B, mayuse multiple flow sensors fluidly coupled to each sensing tube. Inparticular, the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 6B may comprise flowsensors 102 and 104 each coupled to a naris 148, and may also comprisean additional flow sensor 148 coupled to flow sensor 142, and anadditional flow sensor 150 coupled to flow sensor 104. For any set offlow sensors coupled together, one flow sensor may be calibrated toobtain measurements in a first direction, and the second flow sensor inthe set calibrated to obtain measurements in a second direction. In thisway, resolution of the data obtained may be better in each directionthan embodiments with only a single flow sensor for each naris.

In yet further alternative embodiments, the number of flow sensors maybe reduced by selectively coupling a single flow sensor to each of thesensing lines. In particular, FIG. 6C illustrates an embodiment having asingle flow sensor 152 which may be selectively coupled to either of thenares 148 or to a sensing tube for oral respirations proximate to amouth 154. Although the preferred embodiments measure airflow in thenares (and possibly through the mouth) substantially simultaneously, inthe alternative embodiments the relative airflow measurement of eachnaris (and possibly the mouth) may take place individually. Much likethe differences between the exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 6A and 6B,the embodiments of FIG. 6C may also comprise an additional flow sensor156 coupled in series with the first flow sensor 152 for obtainingimproved resolution during both inhalation and exhalation.

As was alluded to in the section describing the physics associated withsensing airflow, when a sensing tube is blocked to airflow through thetube, yet having an aperture within the airflow of a naris, pressuresmay be developed inside the sensing tube proportional to the airflowthrough the naris. Thus, during inspiration the airflow by the end ofthe sensing tube may create a low pressure, which low pressure may besensed by measuring pressure within the sensing tube. Likewise, duringexhalation air may be hydraulically forced into the sensing tube,causing increased pressure, which may likewise be sensed. FIG. 6Dillustrates alternative embodiments of the invention that may sensepressure in blocked sensing tubes as an alternative to sensing flowthrough those tubes. FIG. 6D illustrates, in the same shorthandnotations as FIG. 6A-C, a system where a pressure sensor 158 couples byway of a sensing tube to one of the naris 148, and a second pressuresensor 160 couples to the remaining of the nares 148 by a sensing tube.In this embodiment, as a patient inhales, pressure sensors 158 and 160may create signals proportional to a drop in pressure within the sensingtubes (which drop in pressure is proportional to the amount of airflowthrough the nares). Likewise, during exhalation, the pressure sensors158 and 160 may sense increased pressures within the sensing tube causedby the air exiting the nares being hydraulically forced into the sensingtubes. Pressure sensors produced by Motorola® having part numberMPXV5004DP may be used in these embodiments. In an exemplary pressurecase, the difference in pressure sensed between the nares may beindicative of the difference in airflow between those nares.

Yet other alternative embodiments, illustrated in FIG. 6E, may use asingle differential pressure sensor 162 having a first port coupled to asensing tube in relation to one of the nares 148, and a second portcoupled to a sensing tube in relation to a second of the nares 148. Thedifferential pressure sensor 162 may produce an output signalproportional to the difference in sensed pressure (and thereforeproportional to the difference in airflow) between the nares 148.

Measuring an attribute of an airflow through the nares to this point hasassumed that the sensing tubes have their respective apertures proximateto the entrance or opening of each naris. This, however, is notrequired. In alternative embodiments, at least one of the apertures ofthe sensing tubes may be placed a known distance into its respectivenaris. By selectively increasing the distance into the naris (oralternatively decreasing the distance within the naris), and running aplurality of nasal function tests, it may be possible to determine adistance within a naris at which an abnormality or occlusion may belocated.

The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles andvarious embodiments of the present invention. Numerous variations andmodifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once theabove disclosure is fully appreciated. For example, it may be possibleto measure a complete airflow through each naris by sealing ameasurement device at the opening of the naris. In accordance with atleast some embodiments, however, the sealing should not act to stintopen the nasal valve. It is intended that the following claims beinterpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications:

1. A method comprising: measuring at least a portion of an airflow of afirst naris through a first sensing tube, the measuring creates a firstmeasured airflow; and measuring at least a portion of an airflow of asecond naris through a second sensing tube fluidly independent of thefirst sensing tube, the measuring creates a second measured airflow;wherein measuring at least a portion of the airflow of the first narisis accomplished without blocking the second naris; and wherein measuringat least a portion of the airflow of the second naris is accomplishedwithout blocking the first naris.
 2. The method as defined in claim 1wherein the measuring take place during inhalation.
 3. The method asdefined in claim 1 wherein the measuring takes place during exhalation.4. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein measuring at least a portionof the airflow of the first naris further comprises measuring at a knowndistance within the first naris.
 5. The method as defined in claim 1wherein measuring at least a portion of the airflow of the first narisfurther comprises measuring the airflow through the first sensing beingpart of tube of a bifurcated nasal cannula worn by a patient.
 6. Themethod as defined in claim 1 further comprising determining a differencein the first and second measured airflows.
 7. The method as defined inclaim 1 wherein the measuring takes place substantially simultaneously.8. The method as defined in claim 1 further comprising measuring atleast a portion of an oral airflow.
 9. The method as defined in claim 8wherein the measuring further comprises measuring substantiallysimultaneously.
 10. A method comprising: measuring a pressure associatedwith an airflow through a first naris, the measuring by way of a firstsensing tube; and measuring a pressure associated with an airflowthrough a second naris, the measuring the pressure associated withairflow through the second naris by way of a second sensing tube, thefirst and second sensing tubes fluidly independent; wherein measuringthe pressure associated with the airflow through the first naris isaccomplished without blocking the second naris; and wherein measuringthe pressure associated with the airflow through the second naris isaccomplished without blocking the first naris.
 11. The method as definedin claim 10 wherein the measuring further comprises measuring a pressureproximate to an opening of each of the first and second naris.
 12. Themethod as defined in claim 10 further comprising determining adifference in the pressure measured between the first and second naris.13. The method as defined in claim 10 wherein the measuring takes placeduring inhalation.
 14. The method as defined in claim 10 whereinmeasuring the pressure associated with the airflow through the firstnaris further comprises measuring a pressure in the first sensing tubebeing part of a bifurcated nasal cannula.
 15. A nasal function testdevice comprising: a first air mass flow sensor configured to fluidlycouple to a first naris by way of a first sensing tube, the first airmass flow sensor detects airflow of the first naris that flows throughthe first sensing tube to create a first measured flow signal; a secondair mass flow sensor configured to fluidly couple to a second naris byway of a second, fluidly independent sensing tube, the second air massflow sensor detects airflow of the second naris that flows through thesecond sensing tube to create a second measured flow signal; and aprocessor electrically coupled to the first and second airflow sensors,and wherein the processor is programmed to substantially simultaneouslyread the first and second measured flow signals.
 16. The nasal functiontest device as defined in claim 15 further comprising: a third air massflow sensor coupled to the processor, the third air mass flow sensordetects at least a portion an oral airflow to create a measured oralflow signal; and wherein the processor is programmed to substantiallysimultaneously read the first measured flow signal, the second measuredflow signal, and the measured oral flow signal.
 17. The nasal functiontest device as defined in claim 15 wherein the processor is furtherprogrammed to determine a difference between the first and secondmeasured flow signals.
 18. The nasal function test device as defined inclaim 15 further comprising a display device coupled to the processorand wherein the processor displays an indication of the first and secondmeasured flow signals on the display device.
 19. The nasal function testdevice as defined in claim 18 wherein the display device displays agraph of the first and second measured flow signals as a function oftime.
 20. The nasal function test device as defined in claim 18 whereinthe display device displays a difference between the first and secondmeasured flow signals.
 21. The nasal function test device as defined inclaim 15 further comprising: a non-volatile memory coupled to theprocessor; and wherein the processor is programmed to store the firstand second measured flow signals as a first set of data in thenon-volatile memory, and wherein the processor is further programmed toanalyze differences between the first set of data in the non-volatilememory and a second set of data taken at a different time.
 22. The nasalfunction test device as defined in claim 15 further comprising: abifurcated nasal cannula comprising the first sensing tube and thesecond sensing tube.
 23. The nasal function test device as defined inclaim 22 wherein the first sensing tube has an opening positioned withinthe airflow of the first naris.
 24. The nasal function test device asdefined in claim 23 wherein the opening of the first sensing tube isproximate to an entrance to the first naris.
 25. The nasal function testdevice as defined in claim 23 wherein the opening of the first sensingtube is a measurable distance within the first naris.
 26. The nasalfunction test device as defined in claim 15 further comprising third airmass flow sensor fluidly coupled to the first air mass flow sensor, andwherein the first air mass flow sensor produces the measured flow signalduring inhalation, and wherein the third air mass flow sensor produces ameasured flow signal during exhalation.
 27. A nasal function test devicecomprising: a first airflow sensor that detects at least a portion of anairflow through a first naris to create a first measured flow signal; asecond airflow sensor that detects at least a portion of an airflowthrough a second naris to create a second measured flow signal; and aprocessor electrically coupled to the first and second airflow sensors,and wherein the processor is programmed to substantially simultaneouslyread the first and second measured flow signals; wherein the processoris further programmed to determine an area under a curve produced bychanges in the first measured flow signal during at least one ofinhalation or exhalation, the area being a first breathing score;wherein the processor is further programmed to determine an area under acurve produced by changes in the second measured flow signal during atleast one of inhalation or exhalation, the area being a second breathingscore; and wherein the processor determines a difference between thefirst and second breathing score.
 28. A system comprising: adifferential pressure measurement device having first and second ports,wherein the first port is configured to be fluidly coupled to a firstnostril of a patient, and wherein the second port is configured to befluidly coupled to a second nostril of a patient; an indicator coupledto the differential pressure measurement device, and wherein theindicator displays an indication of a difference in air pressureassociated with airflow in each of the first and second nostrils. 29.The system as defined in claim 28 wherein the indicator furthercomprises a display device that provides a plot of the pressure readingtaken by the differential pressure device as a function of time.
 30. Asystem comprising: a differential pressure measurement device havingfirst and second ports, wherein the first port is configured to befluidly coupled to a first nostril of a patient, and wherein the secondport is configured to be fluidly coupled to a second nostril of apatient; an indicator coupled to the differential pressure measurementdevice, and wherein the indicator displays an indication of a differencein air pressure associated with airflow in each of the first and secondnostrils; a nasal cannula having a first and second sensing lines, thefirst and second sensing lines not in fluid communication; and whereinthe first sensing line couples to the first port, and wherein the secondsensing line couples to the second port.
 31. A method comprising:measuring a relative airflow as between the nostrils of a patient withthe patient's head held in a first position and at a first respiratoryrate; measuring a relative airflow as between the nostrils of thepatient with the patient's head held in a second position and at asecond respiratory rate; wherein the first and second position are oneeach selected from the group of: head upright, head tilted left, headtilted left, head facing down or head facing up; and wherein the firstand second respiratory rate are one each selected from the group of:tidal breathing or maximum inspiration.
 32. The method as defined inclaim 31 further comprising determining whether there are differences inmeasured relative airflow between the first position and the secondposition.
 33. The method as defined in claim 31 wherein measuring therelative airflow as between the nostrils of a patient with the patient'shead held in a first position further comprises measuring withoutblocking either nostril.
 34. The method as defined in claim 33 whereinmeasuring the relative airflow as between the nostrils of the patientwith the patient's head held in a second position further comprisesmeasuring without blocking either nostril.
 35. The method as define inclaim 31 further comprising: measuring oral airflow with the patient'shead in the first position; and measuring oral airflow with thepatient's head in the second position.
 36. A nasal function test devicecomprising: a first pressure sensor configured to fluidly couple to afirst naris by way of a first sensing tube, the first pressure sensordetects a pressure associated with an airflow through the first naris tocreate a first measured signal; a second pressure sensor configured tofluidly couple to a second naris by way of a second sensing tube, thesecond sensing tube fluidly independent of the first sensing tube, andthe second pressure sensor detects a pressure associated with an airflowthrough the second naris to create a second measured signal; and aprocessor electrically coupled to the first and second pressure sensors,and wherein the processor is programmed to substantially simultaneouslyread the first and second measured signals.
 37. The nasal function testdevice as defined in claim 36 wherein the processor is furtherprogrammed to determine a difference between the first and secondmeasured signals.
 38. The nasal function test device as defined in claim36 further comprising a display device coupled to the processor, andwherein the processor displays an indication of the first and secondmeasured signals on the display device.
 39. The nasal function testdevice as defined in claim 38 wherein the display device displays agraph of the first and second measured signals as a function of time.40. The nasal function test device as defined in claim 38 wherein thedisplay device displays a difference between the first and secondmeasured signals.
 41. The nasal function test device as defined in claim36 further comprising: a non-volatile memory coupled to the processor;and wherein the processor is programmed to store the first and secondmeasured signals as a first set of data in the non-volatile memory, andwherein the processor is further programmed to analyze differencesbetween the first set of data in the non-volatile memory and a secondset of data taken at a different time.
 42. The nasal function testdevice as defined in claim 36 further comprising: a bifurcated nasalcannula comprising the first sensing tube and the second sensing tube.43. A method comprising: measuring at least a portion of an airflow of afirst naris through a first sensing tube, the measuring creates a firstmeasured airflow; and substantially simultaneously measuring at least aportion of an airflow of a second naris through a second, fluidlyindependent sensing tube, the measuring creates a second measuredairflow.
 44. The method as defined in claim 43 where measuring furthercomprises measuring at least a portion of the airflow with a respectivemass flow sensor.
 45. The method as defined in claim 43 wherein themeasuring takes place during inhalation.
 46. The method as defined in 44wherein measuring further comprises measuring at least a portion of theairflow with the respective mass flow sensor fluidly coupled to therespective naris by a sensing tube of a bifurcated nasal cannula.